THE
HISTORY AND MEANING
OF THE UNION JACK OR UNION FLAG
The British Flag: a Symbol of Unity
The
Union Jack is a transnational flag full of historical significance. It
represents the union of different countries and the growth of a family of
nations whose influence extends far beyond the British Isles. This far-reaching
influence is still seen today in the incorporation of the Union Jack in other
national flags such as that of Australia. The British flag is called the
"Union Jack", an expression that needs to be explained.
The
Union Jack is a fine expression of unity as well as diversity. The British flag
incorporates the national symbols of three distinct countries, England,
Scotland and Northern Ireland. In fact its name "Union Jack"
emphasises the very nature of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland as a union of nations. The flag is also
known by another name, this too, emphasising the idea of union: the "Union
flag", perhaps a less common term but a little more precise. The countries
comprising the British Isles are not inward-looking or isolated states with an
insular mentality; together they constitute a powerful union that has spanned
centuries. Recent devolution that gave Scotland its own Parliament and Wales
its own Assembly has also emphasised the importance of individual national
identities within the union without affecting the essential unity of Great
Britain. On the contrary, it has strengthened it. Recognition of, and respect
for national identities are an essential ingredients for effective union. The
Union Jack symbolises all this: respect for individuality within a closely knit
community.
The
"Union Jack" or "Union Flag" is a composite design made up
of three different national symbols:
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St. George's Cross,
the flag of England
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St. Andrew's Cross,
the flag of Scotland
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St. Patrick's Cross,
the flag of Ireland
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The cross represented in
each flag is named after the patron saint of each country: St. George, patron
saint of England, St. Andrew, patron saint of Scotland and St. Patrick, patron
saint of Ireland.
The
image below renders the idea of the union of the three flags forming one
unified, transnational Flag.
No
mention has been made of the Welsh flag. The Welsh dragon was not incorporated
into the Union Flag because Wales had already been united to England when the
first version of the Union Flag was designed in 1606. It is, however, in common
use:
The Welsh Dragon
THE HISTORY OF THE UNION JACK
The
first step taken in the creation of the flag of Great Britain was on 12th April
1606. When King James VI of Scotland became king of England (King James I) it
was decided that the union of the two realms under one king should be
represented symbolically by a new flag. Originally It consisted in the red
cross of England superimposed on the white cross of Scotland on the blue
background of the Scottish flag as in this illustration:
Thus we have the first flag of the union called, in fact, the "Union
Flag".
What
was meant to be a symbol of unity actually became a symbol of international
controversy. The English resented the fact that the white background of their
cross had disappeared and that the new flag had the blue Scottish background.
On the other hand the Scottish resented the fact that the English red cross was
superimposed on the Scottish white cross!! The old adage says you cannot please
everyone but this first version of the Union Flag seemed to please no-one!!
Apparently
there was an unofficial "Scottish version" that attempted to rectify
the sense of injustice that the Scottish felt at this innovatory flag. A
distinct reference was made to this version when the King visited Dumfries in
1618. Here is what it looked like:
The controversy was destined to last!! There is conflict in the best of
families!!
However,
the flag was usually restricted to use at sea until the two kingdoms of
Scotland and England were united in 1707. It was most probably from this use at
sea that it got the name "Jack" ("Union Jack").
It was usually flown at the bow end of the ship, from the jack staff.
An
attempt was made to modify the flag under Oliver Cromwell. A harp was placed in
the centre, representing Ireland. However, the original design was restored along
with the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.
The
flag continued to be used in its original form until Jan. 1, 1801. At that
time, with the union of Ireland and Great Britain, it became necessary to
represent Ireland in the Union Flag and so the cross of St. Patrick was include
thus creating the flag as we now have it. When the southern part of Ireland
gained its independence in 1921 and became the Irish Free State no alteration
was made to the Union Jack.
The
name "Union Jack" became official when it was approved in Parliament
in 1908. It was stated that "the Union Jack should be regarded as the
National flag".
It’s
interesting!
The flag of Britain has a long and interesting history. Many historians
believe that in the XIII century, during the bloody war with Wales, the cross
was used as a national emblem, familiar to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It was
under this sign that Crusader knights fought with Muslims, trying to achieve
the transfer of the Holy city to the Christian Church. It is this cross, also
known as the cross of St. George the victorious, and became the first symbol of
the Foggy Albion. In the early XVI century, his image appears on the cloth of
the national flag.
The history of the British flag has close links with religion. The most
revered Saint was considered and is still considered a semi-legendary Saint
Patrick, who, according to legend, brought to Ireland writing, and at the same
time expelled from the island of all snakes. The great missionary worked hard
for the good of the Holy Church. The Union Jack combines the three crosses, one
of which is the red Saltire of St. Patrick. By the way, according to one
version of this sign is the symbolism of the Order of St. Patrick, founded in
the late XVIII century. Proponents of the second version I believe that it was
borrowed from the coat of arms of the Fitzgeralds; in addition, it is believed
that the cross of St. Patrick is not that other, as a symbol of the Order of
the Garter, which was tilted at an angle of 45 degrees.
It is generally known that it comes from
the flag (Union Jack), used to be firstly at the warships of the Royal Navy as
the jack staff of ships.
Nevertheless, there is one more romantic
version, according to which "jack" is a hypocoristic of
"Jacques" (that was the name of the first king of the United Kingdom Jacques
or Jack, who coped to unite England and Scotland).
The British are also known worldwide not
only for its conservatism toward the new, but the fact that they religiously
observe the traditions of their ancestors.
Special attention is paid to everything
that is somehow connected with the state symbols. So, today in a Foggy Albion
celebrate the holidays devoted to day of a flag.
The panels are hung from the Windows on
important days:
- in honor of the birthday of a member of
the Royal family;
- on the occasion of the opening ceremony of
the Parliament;
- on the anniversary of the wedding of the
king;
- on the occasion of Commonwealth Day.
